%0 Journal Article
%T Development of Sustainable Activated Carbon Tablets from Coconut Shell: Formulation and Binder Optimization Studies
%A Godwin Owoicho Awodi
%A Adams Udoji Itodo
%A Raymond Ahule Wuana
%A Sesugh Ande
%A Roselyn Benjamin Sumi
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 13
%N 7
%P 1-20
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2026
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1115584
%X This study investigated the formulation, physicochemical evaluation, and instrumental characterization of sustainable carbo tablets prepared from coconut shell-derived activated carbon using gelatin and sodium alginate as binder systems in accordance with United States Pharmacopeia (USP 30) standards. Five formulations comprising gelatin-based tablets (FCTG) and sodium alginate formulations containing 1% - 4% binder concentrations (FCTa1-FCTa4) were developed and compared with a commercial carbo tablet (CCT). Pre-compression evaluation showed excellent granule flowability with angle of repose values ranging from 25ˋ - 27ˋ, bulk density between 0.53 - 0.57 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, and tapped density of 0.67 - 0.71 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, indicating suitability for tablet compression. Mechanical studies revealed progressive increases in crushing strength from 3.4 kgf (FCTa1) to 6.4 kgf (FCTa4) with increasing sodium alginate concentration, while friability decreased correspondingly. FCTG (0.4%), FCTa3 (0.80%), and CCT (0.4%) complied with the pharmacopeial friability requirement of <1%. Disintegration testing demonstrated rapid disintegration for gelatin tablets (0.52 min), whereas alginate formulations exhibited concentration-dependent prolongation from 4.62 to 21.20 min. FCTa4 displayed sustained-release characteristics due to hydrogel matrix formation by sodium alginate. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA) confirmed adequate thermal stability of the formulations with characteristic moisture loss below 150ˋC and gradual decomposition at elevated temperatures. SEM micrographs revealed highly porous and heterogeneous surface morphology favorable for adsorption activity. FTIR spectra showed broad O每H stretching bands at 3200 - 3500 cm<sup>ˋ</sup><sup>1</sup>, aliphatic C每H peaks near 2900 cm<sup>ˋ</sup><sup>1</sup>, carbonyl and aromatic C=C bands around 1600 - 1700 cm<sup>ˋ</sup><sup>1</sup>, and C每O/C每O每C stretching vibrations within 1000 - 1300 cm<sup>ˋ</sup><sup>1</sup>, confirming the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, aromatic, and polysaccharide functional groups without evidence of chemical incompatibility. EDX analysis verified the predominance of carbon and oxygen within the formulations, confirming the carbon-rich composition of the activated carbon tablets. Among all formulations, FCTa3 demonstrated the most balanced pharmaceutical performance in terms of hardness, friability, disintegration, thermal stability, and structural integrity. The study highlights the potential of sodium alginate as an effective natural binder and demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing coconut shell-derived activated carbon as a sustainable pharmaceutical material for carbo tablet formulation.
%K Carbo Tablets
%K Activated Carbon
%K Coconut Shell
%K Sodium Alginate
%K Gelatin Binder
%K Physicochemical Evaluation
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=152677